Murphy law is not a myth – opinion

By Louis Pereira

In the current digital world, data in our daily activity and routines is required. We use them for communication, entertainment, memories and growing in our professional life. However, the fragility of our data is often underestimated.

Data loss is a real threat caused by hardware failures, human deficiency, harmful software (such as ransomware), natural disasters or theft. The consequences of data loss are devastating, and its causes are mostly in our control. Loss of commitment and productivity of financial information from losing photos, personal or professional. In some cases, it also increases the harm to identity fraud.

The World Backup Day celebrating today reminds us of the importance of protecting our data. This is the day that reflects our digital dependence and the day to take active actions. The law of Murphy teaches us that “everything that can do wrong is wrong” and this applies to data loss, but we can reduce the losses. Although each of us already has the habit of creating backups regularly, we should also take the opportunity to review our process and to ensure that today we are in line with the data that is dealt with.

The most important activity is to make regular backups. This means creating copies of data and storing in a separate place (external unit, cloud or both). When selecting for an open unit, we should choose a reliable device and consider encryption for greater safety, especially in the case of its theft. On the other hand, when selecting the cloud, we need to choose the service we trust with good reputation and strong safety measures. Regardless of the method, regularity is fundamental. We must reflect the creation of backups often and update the cadence suffering from our data during our normal daily routine.

In addition to backups, we also have a recovery plan. How to restore data in case of this plan damage. However, it is not enough to save backups and know how to effectively recover them. Frequent testing of all stages is also of great importance, effectively ensuring that backups are being created and the recovery plan is working, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data and we can successfully recover.

Fortunately, modern technology provides powerful tools to simplify and automate this process. This means that we do not need to manage all these processes manually, or create an automated process for us. Most operating systems, apps and services already have automatic backup features, setting the process with parameters that suit each of us.

Appeal to the World Backup Day Action. One is to support our data in important things we can do to protect our data. This may be the difference between minor setback and disaster loss. Murphy’s law should not pledge to guard us. We need to invest in the safety of our data, automate backups when possible, test to test the recovery plan, and the data we use in our daily life can be protected as a result.